Movie Review – Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

Back in 2009 when Cloudy came out, I dismissed it as another sub-Pixar offering.

So I’m happy to report now that I was an idiot and have been missing out on an absolute treat of a film.

The humour is extremely quirky so if you buy into early you’re in for a good time. The way Flint makes everything cooler to himself – “PAINTING! CONNECTING! THINKING!” – and sneaking around making noises, is exactly what I do, just in my head. Each character has their own traits, and it’s refreshing to see that the production team didn’t hold back. They figured out each character, and then let all the eccentricities come out.

It isn’t just what is said that is funny, as there are numerous sight gags peppered throughout. The use of the food, and how people react, from wonder to sickness and weight gain, covers all the bases.

Lightly touching on a few moral subjects without getting preachy or bashing you over the head, this is a very well balanced film.

The cast is fantastically used too. Some voices, such as Bruce Campbell and Mr.T, bring with them a history that adds to their character without overshadowing them.

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs doesn’t carry the emotional weight of any of the Pixar films, but it doesn’t need to. It’s off beat, laugh out loud humour grants it its own place as a great animated feature. I’ve not laughed at a film this much in a while.